Learn Calligraphy the TPK Way

There are over 150 blog posts on the TPK site, and several of them focus on calligraphy. If you have just come upon the TPK site with the aim of learning modern calligraphy, it may be tough to know which posts to begin with! Enter this blog post, which will give you a little tour of the most helpful TPK resources for learners.

When people ask me what I do — as in, what is my profession — I generally say I am a blogger whose main goal is to help people learn calligraphy, and modern styles in particular. While there are a lot of art and DIY projects mixed in with calligraphy posts, calligraphy and hand-lettering is the lifeblood of TPK. That said, the other day I was examining the blog and trying to look at it from the perspective of someone who has happened upon the website for the first time. In that moment, I realized that even when you conduct a concentrated search {e.g. “learn calligraphy”}, there are a lot of articles, and it’s difficult/overwhelming to choose which one to begin with.

I thought today’s post could be a little tour through the TPK blog for brand-new learners. TPK veteran readers should benefit from this structured organization of past posts as well … perhaps there are a few that you missed! Either way, posts are organized in the order that a beginner should read them in order to get the best, most straight-forward information about learning calligraphy from the TPK site.

I, personally, believe that creating “cheating calligraphy” {a.k.a. “faux calligraphy”} is the best way to start learning modern calligraphy. Cheating calligraphy makes you mindful of letterforms, and it teaches you about upstrokes and downstrokes. I got my start in calligraphy by creating cheating calligraphy, and that’s why I advocate it as a great way to begin! As a bonus, you’ll get instant gratification, which is so important when you’re learning a new skill.

If you’re new to a pursuit, the temptation is to purchase a pre-made kit. The problem with purchasing a kit is this: you’ll pay a premium for the assembly, and you’ll more than likely get lower-quality supplies like plastic holders so the assembler can turn a profit. Plastic holders aren’t bad, but you may as well make your own kit and get a more comfortable cork holder with a universal insert {see the post for more details} and a good nib. I promise, the blog post walks you through making the whole kit, so it won’t be difficult; and if you have questions, you can always ask.

The question I receive the most from TPK readers is “Which Learn Calligraphy for a Latté worksheet should I start with?” The best answer I can give is “any one that appeals to you”. They’re all formulated for beginners, though intermediate users enjoy them just as much. Each worksheet {save for “Hand-Lettering for a Latté”} starts out with a faux calligraphy section intended to ease “newbies” into feeling comfortable with letterforms. Effectively, any worksheet will help you to learn.

If you were to ask me, though, which of the styles is best to begin with, I’d say the Amy. It has no slant, so it’s great for people who are very new to writing in a calligraphic or script style. It also includes an optional video course. This has proven very helpful to visual learners who like to see letters being written out!

When I hear the word “practice”, it takes me back to my adolescence, which was spent playing the same thing over and over again on a squeaky clarinet. That wasn’t necessarily fun for anyone, particularly family members who opted to stay in the house as I soldiered on. You’ll find that calligraphy practice, in contrast, is fun and entertaining for you and for others {if you send them the fruits of your labor}. You have tangible proof of your progress as you go along, and you’ll experience many “Aha!” moments as you write. “Practice” can apply to anything, too: making a decorated envelope for a friend or creating calligraphic artwork for your home. For some good practice tips, read this blog post.

I recommend that beginners begin with the Nikko G nib because it’s got a nice, medium flex that won’t give you grief. I’d describe it as “solid” and “reliable”. However, it’s not my favorite nib … the über-flexible Brause EF66 is! Once you’ve practiced a bit with the Nikko G, it’s time to place an order for some new nibs. This blog post will give you some great ideas as far as which nibs to try out next {as well as care and cleaning tips for the nibs you currently have}.

I am a big fan of oblique pen holders. For people who are right-handed, like me, they help to achieve a wonderful slant and they keep my hand out of the way! Honestly, I use an oblique pen to create calligraphy at least 95% of the time. Oblique pens used to really intimidate me, so it was a while before I attempted using one, but once I got the hang of it, I was in love. Since they are a bit odd, I do recommend beginning with a straight pen, then moving onto the oblique when you feel you are ready.

If you’re a leftie, a left-handed oblique pen is wonderful for you, as well. Some left-handed people contort themselves in all sorts of uncomfortable positions to achieve the calligraphy style they want, and left-handed oblique pens will render that contortion unnecessary. As with the right oblique pen, the left oblique pen helps to keep your hand out of the way. Whether you’re left- or right-handed, the left oblique is a great tool to have … just make sure you get the correct one for your dominant hand.

7. Get Started!

The best way to learn something is to jump in and do it, so try out your new modern calligraphy endeavor next time you find yourself in a creative mood! The last two resources I’ll mention before leaving you to it is this blog post, which may answer questions that develop as you’re learning; and my Learn Calligraphy Pinterest board, which contains links to posts you will be interested in after you reach a certain level of proficiency {e.g. how to flourish, how to write with white ink}.

I sincerely hope you found this blog post helpful; even if this beginning roadmap doesn’t apply to you, it may come in handy for someone you know who is learning modern calligraphy! If you have any questions {or additional tips}, please don’t hesitate to contribute to the conversation in the comments below! Someone pointed out a couple of days ago that this blog has the best readers, and I have to proudly agree … so thank you for being the cream of the crop!

Thanks for this wonderful post Lindsey! I’ve been following your blog for a while now and I love all your posts-but I have a question regarding ink. I’m a beginner so I still don’t know how long a dab of ink on my nib will last me in a word/sentence and I have trouble restarting mid word/sentence trying not to create a massive blotch of inconsistency on my paper. Do you have any suggestions for these problems?

I am always re-starting mid-word/mid-sentence. For the next Learn for a Latté set {release date either this Friday or next Friday}, I’m including a video module … that highly-visual reference might help you to understand how to re-introduce ink into your piece in a natural way. In addition to practicing with the video modules, I would suggest making sure you done apply too much pressure to the nib when you put more ink on your calligraphy. That might help! 🙂

I am editing the videos at this very moment! Everything is finished; we just need to figure out video hosting. Estimated time of release is this Friday {optimistic} or next Friday {realistic}. I really hope you’ll like them — I think they’re the best yet, but I think that every time!

Awesome post as always, Lindsey! You really sparked my interest in learning modern calligraphy, with the help of your worksheets, I am now able to create really cute messages and cards for my friends! I’ve learned so much from you and I turn to your blog every time I seek inspiration haha. Keep up the good work!

Pretty good post for beginners! I’m about to get my starter kit :), I’m so excited! I’ve already started practicing faux calligraphy, but my hand is still rigid. I’m still practicing the F, but it’s so fun!

I am a big big fun of your website and this blog! This is exactly what I wanted!
I have wanted to learn modern calligraphy (not traditional one) for long but it is not that popular here in Japan, and there is no workshop or class available as well….Luckily I happened to arrive TPK website by chance and thought, ” THIS IS IT! This is what I really needed!!” Since then I have been checking your post almost every day and am trying to learn modern calligraphy by myself. Your tutorial and explanations are so helpful and understandable, which are motivating me to keep leaning all the time. But honestly speaking, recently I faced to the new problem and kinda got to feel confused….because “I don’t know which post I should begin with and which style I should learn first!”, when you just answered my question as above before I ask you.
Thank you for sharing such amazing ideas and tips and am looking forward to your updates!

Your comment is a testament to how wonderful the internet is; and how if something isn’t available locally, it is available online! 🙂 You’ll do a wonderful job at learning calligraphy, and you actually have access to all sorts of amazing materials as a Japanese-based person: Yasutomo sumi ink, Pilot Iroshizuku ink, Nikko G nibs, etc.! The next worksheet set I am releasing will have video modules; so maybe that will help you even more to self-teach. In the meantime, keep learning; I know you’ll be very impressed with yourself as you continue to make progress!

Awesome post, Lindsey! Now I know exactly which post of yours to link to when someone asks 😉 I have learned so much from your blog, and I keep recommending it to people who want to get started! You never fail to deliver awesome content.

Yay! That was the goal of this post, to be able to provide a “home base” where people can figure out where to start. 🙂 I’m very, very happy that you have been able to use the blog to learn … that’s the goal of this site, and it’s wonderful to hear the goal is being reached for at least one person. Thank you!!

Thank you! This is exactly what I needed! I set a goal this summer to rediscover my creativity by learning new types of art. The one I’m most excited about is calligraphy, but I had no idea where to begin…until now! I know that your tips will help me tremendously so please keep ’em coming!